Born in Venice, Benedetto Marcello was a member of a noble family. Although he was a music student of Lotti and Gasparini (famous composers of the day), his father wanted Benedetto to devote himself to law. Benedetto managed to combine a life in law and public service with one in music. At age 25 he was appointed ...

Louis-Claude Daquin was born in Paris to a reasonably well-connected family. On his mother’s side he was related to Rabelais, on his father’s to the Rabbi of Avignon (who had converted to Christianity before he ...